The Delta variant of COVID-19 is spreading across the country at a frightening rate. The precipitous rise in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations across the country definitely triggers flashbacks to the early stages of the pandemic when many healthcare professionals abruptly canceled business travel or vacation plans. Still, after a year of restriction, quarantine, and non-stop use of Clorox wipes, my family is ready for a vacation.
Everyone in my family has been vaccinated, fortunately (many families can't say the same) and my children are absolutely ready to get out of Arlington, Virginia, by any means available. So, similar to all families, we engaged in the time-honored ritual of deciding on the optimal vacation spot. As my children have gotten older, this has turned into a careful, high-stakes negotiation. Pick the wrong destination and you'll have adolescents glaring at you for a week, saying "I'm fine" as they plan your demise as an septuagenarian. My 12-year-old came up with a particularly devious plan that I later bribed her out of through springing for an IHOP brunch. Never, ever doubt the persuasive power of pancakes!
During vacation planning, you absolutely have to take every one's COVID concerns into consideration. I have learned to never make assumptions about anyone's current view of the pandemic.